Virginia Lead Poisoning Lawyer

Experience & Results

Over the past 34 years, Virginia lead poisoning lawyer Richard Serpe has gained a reputation as being a fierce advocate of the rights of those who have suffered from the careless pollution of their environments. Richard Serpe made history in Virginia when he received a $2,000,000.00 verdict, which is the largest verdict in the state for a victim of lead poisoning. He has successfully argued for his clients before state and federal courts and has dedicated his career to helping the victims of environmental poisoning receive fair and just treatment.

About Child Lead Poisoning

Over the past few decades, there have been significant measures taken to reduce the risk of poisoning through exposure to lead. Our cars are now required to run on unleaded gasoline. The use of lead-based paint is now banned.

We have limited our exposure to lead for a good reason: lead is a toxic substance that can adversely affect brain development in children, damage the nervous system or kidneys, or even result in death. Lead is not a substance that simply disappears. It can remain in an environment for years, slowly but steadily building up in the bloodstream and tissue of those who are repeatedly exposed to it, while the victims are usually unaware of the danger that they are in until it is too late.

In large doses, this toxin can cause permanent physiological damage, but even in small doses, the effects can last a lifetime.

Brain and nerve function in young victims can severely alter a child’s ability to learn and perform.

Teachers reported that students with elevated tooth lead concentrations were more inattentive, hyperactive, disorganized, and less able to follow directions.

Additional follow-up of some of those children showed higher rates of failure to graduate from high school, reading disabilities, and greater absenteeism in the final year of high school.

Elevated bone lead concentrations are associated with increased attention dysfunction, aggression, and delinquency.

Examples of Lead Contamination

Paint: Many people believe that the problem with poisoning from lead-based paint must have been solved years ago. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. The United States still has 24 million homes with lead-based paint. Over time, lead-based paint slowly chips and flakes, which causes lead dust to float in the environment, putting occupants at great risk.

Soil: Lead and other heavy metals can easily contaminate soil and groundwater they come into repeated contact with. Areas around foundries or manufacturing plants can easily become contaminated and can remain so for decades. Not only does this lead enter into the environment through disposal of industrial waste, but also through smokestack emissions.

Water: With the known dangers of lead poisoning, it would seem to be an obvious matter of public safety to replace any municipal water pipes that contained lead. Unfortunately, many cities and towns have simply left old pipes in use, either for cost-cutting measures or because they were sadly unaware that the pipes were in bad condition. For example, Washington, D.C. had 23,000 lead pipes in use for municipal water service and is still in the process of replacing them.

Child Lead Poisoning Lawyer Richard Serpe

When someone is a victim of lead poisoning, the effects can be long-lasting, particularly in children. Child victims often suffer developmental disabilities that can make adjusting to a normal life practically impossible.

Through no fault of their own, the victims of lead poisoning are experiencing pain and suffering, extensive medical bills, and a life that will never be the same. Those responsible for this are playing pass the buck. The manufacturers dispute the science, or the landlords blame the maintenance company, or the attorneys and insurers offer settlements that are a fraction of what is fair or reasonable.

Over the years, Richard Serpe has gained a reputation as being a fierce advocate for the rights of children who have suffered from the careless pollution of their environments. He made history in Virginia when he received a $2,000,000 verdict, which is the largest verdict in the state for a victim of lead poisoning. He has successfully argued for his clients before state and federal courts and has dedicated his career to helping the victims of environmental poisoning receive fair and just treatment.

If your children have suffered from lead poisoning, and you feel that your needs and concerns are not being taken seriously, contact our Virginia child lead poisoning lawyers for a free legal consultation today.

“When my daughter suffered an injury from lead poisoning, I did not know where to turn. There did not seem to be many lawyers who could help. The landlord responsible for my child’s lead poisoning and her insurance company hired a large law firm to fight our case hard. For over two years, Richard Serpe fought back and helped my family find excellent medical care and deal with complicated legal issues. The firm lawyers and staff were always helpful and responsive. Ultimately, Richard Serpe was able to get an excellent recovery for my daughter, which will provide funds to help her for a long time into the future.”

“Richard Serpe handled the case for my daughter for injuries she received over 10 years ago. The people who work for him were always great to work with! They responded to our needs and treated my daughter like the very special person that she is. I would not hesitate to tell my friends and family to hire his firm for any problem they may have, no matter how serious.”